JP2004166157A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device capable of performing desirable control by using a variable shape mirror which recovers its non-deformed shape when a driving power source is turned off. <P>SOLUTION: The image pickup device comprises a variable shape mirror 2 with a deformable reflection surface, a driving means 4 which drives the reflection surface, an imaging lens system 1 which generates a focal distance according to the deformation value of the reflection surface, an image pickup means 5 which obtains image signals of an object, a system control means 7 for controlling the driving means 4 so as to keep the displacement state of the variable shape mirror 2 when the image pickup means 5 picks up an image. With this structure, when the image pickup means picks up the image, the control means 7 controls the driving means 4 to supply driving signals continuously so that the displacement state of the variable shape mirror 2 is stored. As a result, when the phototaking is performed, the displacement state of the variable shape mirror 2 is stored to obtain the necessary image, but the variable shape mirror 2 is not driven when not necessary to reduce the power consumption. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly, to an imaging device using a deformable mirror.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a deformable mirror (also called a deformable mirror) that can deform a free-form reflecting surface with an electric force and obtain desired optical characteristics without mechanically moving a lens. By using this deformable mirror for the optical system of an imaging device such as a digital camera, it is possible to realize a reduction in size and weight. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-122784 discloses an optical device using such a deformable mirror in an optical system.
[0003]
Further, as a digital camera using the above-described deformable mirror, there is a digital camera disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2002-221751.
[0004]
In each of the above publications, the use of the deformable mirror enables zooming and autofocusing without moving the lens, and eliminates the motor used to move the zooming and autofocusing lens. The battery life of the camera has been prolonged, and its size and weight have been reduced by reducing power consumption.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-122784 (pages 1-8, page 46, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-221751 (pages 13-14, FIGS. 36 and 45)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The deformable mirror disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-221751 has a configuration in which, even when the drive power supply is turned off, the displacement at the time when the drive power supply is turned off is maintained. However, when the drive power supply is turned off, the deformable mirror itself basically returns to a shape without displacement due to its properties, but does not give any suggestion about such properties.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of performing suitable control using a deformable mirror having a shape without displacement when a driving power supply is turned off. It is intended for that purpose.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An imaging device according to the present invention according to claim 1, wherein a deformable mirror having a deformable reflective surface and an electrode for controlling the shape of the reflective surface, and a signal for driving the reflective surface is supplied to the electrode. Driving means, an imaging lens system for generating a focal length according to the amount of deformation of the reflecting surface of the deformable mirror, and imaging for obtaining an image signal of an image formed via the imaging lens system and the deformable mirror. Means, and when the imaging means is capturing an image to be used for at least one or a part of subsequent processing, the driving means continues the driving signal to maintain the displacement state of the deformable mirror. And control means for controlling the supply.
[0010]
With such a configuration, when the imaging unit is capturing an image to be used for at least one or a part of subsequent processing, the control unit controls the driving unit to continuously supply the driving signal. As a result, the operation is performed such that the displacement state of the deformable mirror is maintained. Therefore, since the displacement of the deformable mirror is maintained during imaging, an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0011]
Note that the subsequent processing in the present invention includes, for example, at least one or a part of processing such as AE or AF performed before photographing desired by the user, or image photographing performed desired photographing by the user. It is a thing.
[0012]
In the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 2, in the imaging device according to claim 1, when the control unit detects that the imaging unit is not capturing the post-processing image, The supply of the drive signal is stopped.
[0013]
With the above configuration, when the imaging unit is not capturing the post-process image, the control unit operates to stop the driving unit from supplying the driving signal.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit continues to supply the driving signal from the driving unit during exposure. And
[0015]
With the above configuration, at the time of exposure, the control unit operates such that the driving unit continues to supply the driving signal.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, the control unit stops supplying the driving signal from the driving unit after exposure. And
[0017]
With the above configuration, after exposure, the control unit operates such that the driving unit stops supplying the driving signal.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, while the control unit changes the number of pixels read from the imaging unit, the driving unit controls the driving by the driving unit. It is characterized in that the supply of the signal is continued.
[0019]
Here, “while the number of pixels read by the imaging unit is changed” refers to, for example, the vertical pixel number thinning readout of the image sensor, and, depending on the image sensor, an additional horizontal pixel addition readout mode (in the embodiment). This means an operation of shifting from the “draft mode”) to a mode of reading all pixels from the image sensor (corresponding to the “frame reading mode” in the embodiment).
[0020]
With the configuration described above, while the imaging unit changes the number of pixels (for example, until a transition from the draft mode to the frame reading mode), the control unit causes the driving unit to supply the driving signal. Operate to continue.
[0021]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect, after the number of pixels read out from the imaging unit is changed, the control unit may output the image data from the driving unit. The supply of the drive signal is stopped.
[0022]
With the above configuration, after the number of pixels read out by the imaging unit is changed, the control unit operates so that the driving unit stops supplying the driving signal.
[0023]
An imaging device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to the first aspect, further comprising a mechanical shutter, wherein the control unit controls the imaging unit while the mechanical shutter is open. Is characterized in that the supply of the driving signal from the driving unit is continued when an image used for at least one or a part of the subsequent processing is captured.
[0024]
With the above-described configuration, the driving unit is configured to control the control unit to perform the operation when the imaging unit is capturing an image used for at least a part of a subsequent process while the mechanical shutter is open. The driving means operates to continue supplying the driving signal.
[0025]
Also, in the imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 8, in the imaging device according to claim 7, the control unit controls the supply of the drive signal from the driving unit after the mechanical shutter is closed. It is characterized by stopping.
[0026]
With the above configuration, after the mechanical shutter is closed, the control unit operates such that the driving unit stops supplying the driving signal.
[0027]
In the imaging apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit may control the driving from the driving unit even after the imaging unit shifts to a frame reading mode. It is characterized in that the supply of the signal is continued.
[0028]
With the configuration described above, even after the imaging unit shifts to the frame reading mode, the control unit operates so that the driving unit continues to supply the driving signal.
[0029]
The imaging device according to the present invention described in claim 10 is the imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to control the imaging unit to continuously capture images of a plurality of frames. The supply of the drive signal from the drive unit is continued.
[0030]
With the configuration described above, the control unit operates such that the driving unit continues to supply the driving signal while the imaging unit continuously captures images of a plurality of frames.
[0031]
In the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit may supply the driving signal from the driving unit while the imaging unit shoots a moving image. Is continued.
[0032]
With the configuration described above, the control unit operates such that the driving unit continues to supply the driving signal while the imaging unit captures a moving image.
[0033]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a configuration example of a digital camera as an imaging device.
[0035]
The digital camera shown in FIG. 1 includes a photographing lens system 1, a deformable mirror 2 having a deformable reflecting surface and an electrode for controlling the shape of the reflecting surface, and a drive signal for driving the deformable mirror 2. Driving means 4 having a boosting power supply means 3 for supplying power to the electrode 2a, and an imaging means having an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor for obtaining an image signal from an image formed through the photographing lens system 1 and the deformable mirror 2. 5, an image signal processing means 6 for processing an image signal from the imaging means 5, a system control means 7 for controlling the entire system, an imaging button 8, and an image storage means such as a memory for storing a captured image. 9, an image display / confirmation means 10 for displaying an image, a timer 11 used to take an image after a lapse of a certain time after the imaging operation, and a remote controller 12 for performing an external imaging operation. It is made.
[0036]
FIG. 1 shows an example in which subject information is controlled by an electronic shutter in a CCD image sensor. The information in the image sensor is cleared immediately before shooting, and the information is transferred to the outside of the image sensor immediately after shooting.
[0037]
Next, the operation will be described based on the operation flowchart shown in FIG.
[0038]
It is assumed that the light passing through the imaging lens system 1 is reflected by the deformable mirror 2 and is imaged on the imaging means 5.
[0039]
When an image signal is obtained from the image of the formed subject through the imaging unit 5, the system control unit 7 controls the driving unit 4 to supply a driving signal to the deformable mirror 2 and changes the reflection surface of the deformable mirror 2. The focal position is changed so that an appropriate image is obtained (step S1).
[0040]
Then, the system control unit 7 determines whether the imaging button 8 has been operated by the user, or whether the timer 11 and the remote controller 12 have been operated (step S2). If it has been operated (YES in step S2), the system control unit 7 waits for the imaging unit 5 to enter an imaging state in which an image signal of the subject can be obtained, The displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained by controlling the mirror 2 to supply a drive signal for maintaining the current displacement (step S3). If the operation button 8 or the like has not been operated (NO in step S2), the process returns to step S1. Next, the system control means 7 sets an exposure time while maintaining the displacement amount of the deformable mirror 2 (step S4), and determines whether the exposure time has expired (step S5). When the exposure time has expired (YES in step S5), the image signal from the imaging unit 5 is processed by the image processing unit 6, and then stored in the image storage unit 9.
[0041]
On the other hand, after the exposure time has expired, the image signal of the subject can be read out by the image pickup means 5, and when the image pickup state of the image pickup means 5 is completed, the system control means 7 sends the signal to the deformable mirror 2 to The supply of the drive signal is stopped (step S6), and the displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is released. The “state in which an image signal of a subject can be read” is, for example, a state in which charge transfer to a CCD for vertical transfer has been completed in an interlaced readout type CCD image sensor.
[0042]
In addition, the image display / confirmation unit 10 also displays an image as required by a user's setting operation or the like.
[0043]
When the exposure time is determined, an operation of detecting the exposure amount in advance from the image signal acquired by the imaging unit (usually called automatic exposure (AE)) is necessary, but it is not always performed in the in-focus state. It doesn't mean it won't. Therefore, if AE is performed in a focused state, control is performed so that the drive signal is continuously supplied.
[0044]
With such a configuration, when the imaging unit captures an image used for at least one or a part of the subsequent processing, for example, an AE processing, an AF processing, or a processing of a captured image desired by the user, the control is performed. The means controls the driving means to continuously supply the driving signal, and as a result, operates so that the displacement state of the deformable mirror is maintained. Therefore, since the displacement of the deformable mirror is maintained during imaging, an appropriate image can be obtained. Further, since the supply of the driving signal is stopped at times other than the time of image capturing, power consumption can be reduced by releasing the electric power at an appropriate time.
[0045]
According to the present embodiment, an appropriate captured image desired by the user can be obtained at the time of imaging, and unnecessary power consumption can be avoided except at the time of imaging.
[0046]
[Second embodiment]
Next, an imaging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0047]
FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation in the present embodiment. FIG. 3A shows the operation of the image sensor, and FIG. 3B shows the driving state of the deformable mirror 2. In FIG. 3A, the draft mode is a mode in a preparation stage before image capturing, and is performed by the image display / confirmation unit 10 for confirming the image to be photographed before operating the image capture button or the like. 6 is used when reading an image, and indicates a mode of a vertical pixel number thinning read operation of the image sensor, and additionally a horizontal pixel addition read operation mode depending on the image sensor. The frame readout mode is a readout mode after an image is taken by operating an image pickup button or the like, and is an operation mode for reading an image taken from the image pickup means 6 mainly for recording an image in the image storage means 9. . For example, it indicates an operation mode in which all pixels are read from the image sensor.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, an imaging unit 5 such as a CCD image sensor performs an exposure operation after the previous draft mode, and performs an exposure operation before entering the previous frame reading mode. During the period up to the end, the system control means 7 is configured to maintain the supply of the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 by the drive means 4 and to keep the displacement amount of the deformable mirror 2.
[0049]
Then, after the exposure is completed, when the image signal of the subject can be read out, the system control unit 7 releases the electric force to the deformable mirror 2 driven by the driving unit 4.
[0050]
With such a configuration, the displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained during the exposure, so that the optical system is fixed until the exposure operation is completed, and an appropriate image can be obtained. Further, since the supply of the driving signal is stopped after the exposure, power consumption can be reduced.
[0051]
According to the present embodiment, an appropriate captured image desired by the user can be obtained during exposure, and unnecessary power consumption can be avoided after exposure.
[0052]
In addition, various modifications and changes can be made to each configuration of this embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the operation before the exposure operation is not the draft mode but the frame read mode.
[0053]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, an imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is such that a mechanical shutter 13 is disposed on the optical axis reaching the imaging means 5 behind the imaging lens system 1 as shown in FIG. Is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0054]
FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation in the present embodiment. 5A shows the operation of the image sensor, FIG. 5B shows the operation state of the mechanical shutter 13, and FIG. 5C shows the driving state of the deformable mirror 2. The draft mode and the frame read mode are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
[0055]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, while the mechanical shutter 13 is open, the imaging unit captures an image used for at least one or a part of the subsequent processing. When it is, the system control means 7 is configured to maintain the supply of the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 by the driving means 4 and to keep the displacement amount of the deformable mirror 2.
[0056]
Then, after the mechanical shutter 13 is closed, the system control means 7 stops the supply of the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 by the driving means 4 and releases the displacement of the deformable mirror 2.
[0057]
With such a configuration, while the mechanical shutter 13 is open, the displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained, so that an appropriate image can be obtained. Further, after the mechanical shutter 13 is closed, the supply of the driving signal is stopped, so that the power consumption can be reduced.
[0058]
According to the present embodiment, while the mechanical shutter 13 is open, an appropriate captured image desired by the user can be obtained, and after the mechanical shutter 13 is closed, unnecessary power consumption can be avoided.
[0059]
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an imaging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG.
[0060]
FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the present embodiment when there is no mechanical shutter (corresponding to FIG. 1). FIG. 6A shows the operation of the image sensor, and FIG. 6B shows the driving state of the deformable mirror 2.
[0061]
FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the present embodiment when there is a mechanical shutter (corresponding to FIG. 4). 7A shows the operation of the image sensor, FIG. 7B shows the operation state of the mechanical shutter 13, and FIG. 7C shows the driving state of the deformable mirror 2.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, even after shifting from the draft mode to the frame readout mode through the exposure operation, the system control unit 7 allows the drive unit 4 to control the deformable mirror. The configuration is such that the supply of the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 is maintained and the amount of displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained.
[0063]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, even after the mechanical shutter 13 shifts from the open state to the closed state, the system control unit 7 controls the variable shape mirror by the drive unit 4. The configuration is such that the supply of the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 is maintained and the amount of displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained.
[0064]
With such a configuration, the displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained even after the imaging unit 5 shifts to the frame reading mode, so that an appropriate image can be obtained. In addition, while the imaging unit 5 continuously captures images of a plurality of frames, the displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained, so that an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0065]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain an appropriate captured image desired by the user during continuous shooting.
[0066]
[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the fifth embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. When the mechanical shutter 13 is provided as shown in FIG. 4, the mechanical shutter 13 is in an open state during moving image shooting.
[0067]
In the present embodiment, as in the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 8, when capturing a moving image, that is, when repeatedly capturing images, the system control unit 7 supplies the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 by the drive unit 4. Is maintained, the amount of displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is fixed (step S11), and after acquiring an image signal (step S12), it is determined whether a moving image is being captured (step S13). If the moving image is being captured, the displacement amount of the deformable mirror 2 is fixed (step S11). If the moving image is to be captured (YES in step S13), the supply of the drive signal to the deformable mirror 2 is stopped (step S14). ).
[0068]
Accordingly, while the imaging unit 5 captures a moving image, the displacement of the deformable mirror 2 is maintained, so that an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0069]
According to the present embodiment, an appropriate moving image captured image desired by the user can be acquired during moving image shooting.
[0070]
It is to be noted that each configuration of the embodiment of the present invention can of course be variously modified and changed. For example, the optical system using the deformable mirror 2 can be applied not only to a digital camera but also to an optical system such as a silver halide camera, and the imaging device may be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). It may be a MOS type image sensor or the like.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a necessary image can be obtained by maintaining the displacement state of the deformable mirror during imaging. In addition, when the imaging is not performed, by stopping the driving of the deformable mirror, unnecessary power consumption can be avoided.
[0072]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the displacement of the deformable mirror is maintained at the time of imaging, an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0073]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the supply of the drive signal is stopped at times other than the time of capturing the post-process image, so that the electric power is released at an appropriate time, thereby reducing power consumption.
[0074]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the displacement is maintained during the exposure, so that the optical system is fixed until the operation is completed, so that an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0075]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the supply of the driving signal is stopped after the exposure, so that the power consumption can be reduced.
[0076]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the displacement is maintained while the imaging unit changes the number of pixels, so that an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0077]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the supply of the drive signal is stopped after the imaging unit shifts to the frame reading mode, so that power consumption can be reduced.
[0078]
According to the invention of claim 7, since the displacement is maintained while the mechanical shutter is open, an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0079]
According to the invention of claim 8, since the supply of the drive signal is stopped after the mechanical shutter is closed, power consumption can be reduced.
[0080]
According to the ninth aspect, since the displacement is maintained even after the imaging unit shifts to the frame reading mode, it is possible to acquire an appropriate image.
[0081]
According to the tenth aspect, since the displacement is maintained while the image capturing unit continuously captures images of a plurality of frames, an appropriate image can be obtained.
[0082]
According to the eleventh aspect, since the displacement is maintained while the imaging unit captures a moving image, an appropriate image can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating an operation according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating an operation in a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an operation without a mechanical shutter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating an operation when a mechanical shutter is provided according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photographing lens system 2 deformable mirror 4 driving means 5 imaging means 7 system control means (control means)
13 ... Mechanical shutter

Claims (11)

A deformable mirror having a deformable reflecting surface and an electrode for controlling the shape of the reflecting surface,
Driving means for supplying a signal for driving the reflection surface to the electrode,
An imaging lens system that generates a focal length according to the amount of deformation of the reflecting surface of the deformable mirror,
Imaging means for obtaining an image signal of an image formed through the imaging lens system and the deformable mirror;
When the imaging unit is capturing an image to be used for at least one or a part of the subsequent processing, the driving unit continuously supplies the driving signal in order to hold the displacement state of the deformable mirror. Control means for controlling
An imaging device having: 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops supplying the driving signal from the driving unit when the imaging unit is not capturing the post-process image. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues to supply the drive signal from the drive unit during exposure. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit stops supplying the driving signal from the driving unit after exposure. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues to supply the drive signal from the driving unit while changing the number of pixels read from the imaging unit. 3. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit stops supplying the driving signal from the driving unit after the number of pixels read out of the imaging unit is changed. Further having a mechanical shutter,
The control unit continues to supply the drive signal from the driving unit when the imaging unit is capturing an image used for at least one or a part of the subsequent processing while the mechanical shutter is open. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit stops supplying the drive signal from the drive unit after the mechanical shutter is closed. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues to supply the drive signal from the driving unit even after the imaging unit shifts to a frame reading mode. 3. 10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit continues to supply the driving signal from the driving unit while the imaging unit continuously captures images of a plurality of frames. . 10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit continues to supply the drive signal from the drive unit while the imaging unit captures a moving image.

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